Hawk Fanatic week 12 predictions
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has a chance to win 10 games in a regular season for just the fourth time in 23 seasons under Kirk Ferentz, and for just the sixth time ever, when it plays at Nebraska on Friday.
Nebraska, on the other hand, has a chance to lose nine games in a season for just the second time ever. The Cornhuskers finished 1-9 in 1957.
Nebraska will also be without starting quarterback Adrian Martinez due to a shoulder injury that will cause him to miss Friday’s game in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Scott Frost will have a legitimate excuse for a change should Nebraska lose on Friday, while Iowa still would have a chance to win the Big Ten West Division if it prevails, and if Minnesota defeats Wisconsin on Saturday in Minneapolis.
However, our three panelists believe that only half of that will happen.
Perhaps the best thing about Iowa playing on Black Friday is that it frees up Saturday for watching the other Big Ten teams play, especially the much-anticipated showdown between Ohio State and Michigan, and, of course, the epic battle for state bragging rights between Illinois and Northwestern.
It actually feels as if Michigan has a chance to win this year, while it’s hard to feel anything about the Illinois-Northwestern game besides disinterest.
Pat Harty
Iowa 27, Nebraska 14: Scott Frost blames the loss on Adrian Martinez’s injured shoulder, but insists that he isn’t blaming the loss on Adrian Martinez. Frost also blames the loss on the present and the future conspiring against the past.
Wisconsin 23, Minnesota 17: Paul Chryst celebrates winning yet another Big Ten West Division title by delivering a low-key, humble, boring and rambling post-game speech, but it’s uncertain if he did so without wearing socks.
Ohio State 31, Michigan 28: I’m starting to think that Doris Day could’ve led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title, but instead, she found her way in Hollywood, so in this case, everybody wins.
Michigan State 24, Penn State 23: James Franklin has agreed to a new 10-year contract extension, which means he probably knew that Penn State’s subpar season would keep him from landing either the USC or LSU jobs.
Illinois 21, Northwestern 20: The Fighting Fitzgerald’s will end the season at 3-9, which makes Northwestern the early favorite to win the 2022 Big Ten West Division title.
Tyler Devine
Iowa 31, Nebraska 10: I will never pick Nebraska to win a game.
Wisconsin 17, Minnesota 13: The more fun pick would be Minnesota for obvious reasons, but I don’t trust P.J. Fleck.
Ohio State 42, Michigan 14: You think I’m gonna pick Harbaugh to win this game?
Michigan State 23, Penn State 20: Spartan donors offer Mel Tucker $1,000 for every yard Kenneth Walker gains.
Illinois 2, Northwestern 0: Not interested.
Dallas Jones
Iowa 20, Nebraska 23:Â This would be the most Iowa way to end the regular season.
Wisconsin 17, Minnesota 24:Â This would just add insult to injury.
Ohio State 31, Michigan 20:Â I want to pick Michigan, but I would just end up disappointed.
Penn State 24, Michigan State 31:Â This will be the best Big Ten game of the week, must see TV.
Northwestern 17, Illinois 14:Â I feel so bad for people that will actually tune into this.